On-campus movie showing is ‘Hellbound’

ACU will host a free viewing of the “Hellbound?” documentary on Sept. 24. Students will receive three Chapel credits for attending the event. The documentary reaches across the nation asking if hell exists and, if it does, why and who goes there?

In this film, several people from different backgrounds discuss the concept and reality of hell.

Dr. Richard Beck, associate professor of psychology, was consulted for the film.

“The documentary is the questions that Christians themselves raise about hell,” Beck said. “The movie offers a tour of the different views of hell because the assumption is that Christians all believe in the traditional view, but there are very different perspectives on it in the church.”

The writer and producer, Kevin Miller, is a Christian whose sources range from exorcist Bob Larson to the infamous Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, to atheist writer Robert McKee. A “hell house”, a house run by certain Christian groups that has several rooms depicting different “real-life” situations of sin in the world, in Dallas also provides unique insight and application of the views of hell.

Though the film was created within the Christian community it shows how much the view on hell can vary, even within such a small community.

“It is for anyone interested in hell or American religion,” Beck said.

The variety of sources allow anyone to easily relate to the film in one way or another, whether they believe in an eternal separation from God or are not even sure if a deity exists, said Beck.

Beck said, “They are actually talking about the diversity of opinion, how Christians throughout history see hell.”

The film was released last year and has been screened all over the United States and Canada. It is now available to purchase off Amazon or to watch on Netflix.